Vasundhara Raje asks Centre to chip in with 75% for central schemes

JAIPUR: Lending her voice to the chorus for a higher share from the Centre, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje today suggested that the fund-sharing pattern of core centrally-sponsored schemes (CSS) should be 75:25 per cent, rater than the current 60:40.

Also, for optional schemes, the pattern should be 60:40 instead of the present 50:50, a CMO release quoting Raje said here.

Raje made these observations at a NITI Aayog meeting of the chief ministerial sub-group chaired by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan in New Delhi on Saturday.

The CM also made a case for making CSS more flexible, saying employment-related schemes like Mahatma Gandhi NREGS have too many limitations that hamper implementation.

She suggested that the basis of the release of next installment of any centrally-sponsored scheme should be the last one paid, which would make implementation easy for states.

Speaking about the liabilities of the states, Raje sought a special provision for the same. She also demanded that states under exceptional circumstances like Rajasthan be given special concession and freedom for implementation of these schemes.

The CMs of Jharkhand, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and the Finance Minister of Jammu Kashmir too put forth their suggestions. CEO of NITI Aayog Sindhushri Khullar said the suggestions will be included in the draft prepared by the sub-group, which will be given a final shape by July 5.